S- (or) Holy Play, part I
Richard M. Wright
(The S- is going somewhere. Trust me.)
There is a theme – a theological theme that requires a change in how we live – that has been impressing itself upon my soul/awareness. Play.
Three days in Atlanta for the (apparently well known) Catalyst Conference. The world largest pillow fight involving thousands at the Gwinnett Arena on Friday morning. The dodge-ball national championship team – comprised entirely of “youth pastors” why are we not surprised? – shows up… a dozen from the audience throw official dodge-balls at them which they dodge or catch-and-return-with-force then quickly (d)evolves into thousands throwing their red rubber balls at these masters of a play-ground sport who manage to dodge-or-catch-and-return not a few amidst the red maelstrom.
Yeah the conference was inspiring, informative, challenging and all. But it was also fun.
Which brings me to one of the speakers: Kevin Carroll of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball fame. Worked for years as a “creative catalyst” at Nike.
One of his central points was adults do not play enough. Without play… imagination and creativity shrivel. And perhaps the reverse is true? That play can be a holy activity. And one that can fuel creativity and imagination and by extension our ability to perform… succeed… innovate… problem-solve… fulfill our mission as individuals and as a church family.
I first learned this lesson from a Baptist campus minister at Cornell University by the name of Armetta Fields. (Interesting first name.) She thought Cornell students were too serious, studious, and stressed out. (And arrogant.) So she made us play once or twice a semester.
Crayons and coloring books at Thursday evening “Bible study/prayer” meeting. Taking us to a nearby vocational school at night to spend a couple hours on the playground. Swings and slides and death-by-monkey-bars.
More than therapy but fulfilling (in part) a divine commandment. Care to guess what letter it starts with?
